338 Lapua Range report

Went out to today to shoot a few loads out of my 338 Lapua magnum that I picked up the other day. I didn't get to do the shooting at 300 yards like I wanted to because the wind would not cooperate for load development so I stayed at 100 yards to test it out there. This gun now has 20 rounds through it with the loads that I shot today. It shoots great and now cleans up really easy. Took some pics of the groups that I got but it doesnt mean too much until I can get out to 300 and beyond. I just HAD to go shoot it

The loads ranged from 89 to 91.5 gr of H1000 and a 300 gr berger seated at .015 off the rifling.

This is 89gr and measures .535"

89.5gr .786"

90gr .388"

90.5 .447"

Some how I forgot to take a picture of 91gr but it measured .630". There were no signs of pressure at all on these loads so I think the best has yet to come. I have 91.5 to 92.5 gr loaded up and ready to go for tomorrow so we will see how that goes.

I dont know what velocity I am getting as of yet. I don't worry about using a chrono till I find the accuracy that I want because the accuracy is more important to me. When I find the load that I want, I will use the chrono to get me close in velocity and enter that into my ballistic calc. I have seen chronos be off quite a bit so I dont really trust any of them. I always do a field test to figure out the velocity in the end.

Korhil78, looks like it is being pretty easy to get a love affair going with.

Watch real close for ejector pin hole shadow as you approach 92.5 gr. That is where I usually see it show up depending on powder lot.

I would caution you past that point as I believe you will see it heat up in the summer temps.

At 92.5 seated the same place you are now my verified velocity was 2805 from a 28" tube @ 4100' asl. So my guess is you will be around 2775 +/-.

I hear no mention of recoil and your groups seemed to get better as you hopped it up. So I am guessing recoil is no issue at all. That's cool!!

Jeff

I wont be going past 92.5 for sure as that has been a stopping point for a few people that I have talked to. I am hoping that my groups tighten up at around 92 gr with no real showing of pressure. The recoil is not bad at all but I do have to be concious of that light jewel trigger! These are only shot at 100 yards. I just wanted to get some rounds down the tube. The real testing of the most accurate loads at 100 will be throughly tested at 300 yards and that is what I am really interested in seeing.